MicroRNA let-7a regulates angiogenesis by targeting TGFBR3 mRNA.

Angiogenesis has a great impact on human health, owing to its participation in development, wound healing and the pathogenesis of several diseases. It has been reported that let-7a is a tumour suppressor, but whether it plays a role in angiogenesis is unclear. Here we showed that let-7a, a microRNA conserved in vertebrates, regulated angiogenesis by concomitantly down-regulating TGFBR3.

Phosphorylation of ELAVL1 (Ser219/Ser316) mediated by PKC is required for erythropoiesis.

Elavl1 (also known as HuR), an RNA binding protein highly conserved between zebrafish and human, regulates gene expression by stabilizing target mRNA. Our previous studies have uncovered that the predominant isoform elavl1a is required for zebrafish embryonic erythropoiesis. However, the exact mechanism of how elav11 spatiotemporally stabilizes target mRNAs to regulate specific erythropoiesis is not yet understood.

Interactive effect of nitrogen source and high CO concentration on the growth of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense and its toxicity to zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos.

The effects and interactive effects of different nitrogen (N) sources (ammonium, nitrate, and urea) and carbon dioxide (CO) concentrations were investigated on Alexandrium tamarense, a harmful marine dinoflagellate, by measuring its growth (μ), extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA), and its toxicity to zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo. The μ and CA were influenced more strongly by CO concentrations rather than by N sources; significant effects of CO on μ and CA were observed under low CO concentration (LC) conditions compared to high CO concentration (HC) conditions. The ammonium and nitrate media under LC conditions had the maximum μ and CA, which was inhibited under HC conditions.

Serotonin regulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in select brain regions during acute psychological stress.

Previous studies suggest that serotonin (5-HT) might interact with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) during the stress response. However, the relationship between 5-HT and BDNF expression under purely psychological stress is unclear. In this study, one hour before psychological stress exposure, the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT or antagonist MDL73005, or the 5-HT2A receptor agonist DOI or antagonist ketanserin were administered to rats exposed to psychological stress.